Car Insurance FAQs

Please note: Our car insurance policy document is available at the bottom of the page for you to download.

Additional Drivers

Can I add a temporary driver?

Can I add a temporary driver to my policy?

Yes, Allianz will provide up to 30 days cover free of charge if a driver is over 25 years of age, is claims/convictions free and holds a full driving licence. If the driver is under 25, cover is restricted to Third Party, Fire & Theft and charges may be incurred. The 30 days free cover is reduced to 7 days if the driver has a provisional licence/ learner permit.

Who can drive my car?

Who can drive my car?

The car insurance cover is restricted to persons named on the certificate, including the policyholder. Cover may be restricted or reduced for younger drivers. (see Policy Endorsements in your Motor Insurance Policy). Open driving option (explanation provided below) is available but must be specifically requested.

What is Open Driving?

What is Open Driving?

Open Driving is an optional cover which allows other drivers to drive your car as long as they are over 30 and under 70. This option is available if you are aged 25 or older and have at least 2 years No Claim Bonus.

Open driving may not be available for your car and it is not covered where we have given a premium reduction for having a second car with us.

Open driving covers anyone within the specified age range to drive the insured car provided they have:

a clean licence;

are free from claims;

Do not suffer from any mental or physical medical conditions which could affect their driving.

Accidents & Claims

How do I make a claim?

How do I make a car insurance claim?

If you wish to report a new claim, discuss an existing claim, avail of our claims emergency services or breakdown assistance you (if included in your policy) can call us on 1890 779 999. (Call operator charges may vary) If you are calling outside of the Republic of Ireland please contact us on 0800 62 61 92.

Our standard motor excess is €250. However, this may vary depending on the type of loss or type of policy. Please refer to your Policy Schedule, policy document, or contact us directly if you wish to query this amount.

What do I do if I have an accident?

What should I do if I have a car accident?

In the event of an accident you should obtain the following information:

The names, contact details and car details of all parties involved.

The insurance details including the policy number of all parties involved.

Details of any witnesses to the incident or members of An Garda Siochana /Police that attended the scene of the accident.

You must also:

Not admit responsibility, sign any statement or negotiate the settlement of any claim, without the written agreement of Allianz.

Complete any form(s) we may send You.

Give us all information and assistance required.

Notify us immediately of any impending prosecution, inquest or fatal inquiry, writ or summons.

Send us, as soon as possible, any writ or summons, letter or other documents You may receive.

The registration and insurance details of your car should be provided to any other party involved and also An Garda/Police, if requested.

If any person is injured, the accident must be reported to An Garda/Police, whether they attend the scene of not. If you do not do so, we reserve the right not to pay a claim. We are entitled, at any stage during any claim, to take over and conduct the defence or settlement of the claim, and, at our discretion, to pursue the claim for our own benefit in the name of any person insured.

Can I use my own repairer / garage?

Can I use my own repairer / garage in the event of a claim?

If your car is damaged and it is covered by your policy, we recommend that you take it to one of our Aligned Repairers, or that you arrange for its collection by one of them.

If you do not use an Aligned Repairer, you should arrange for an estimate of repair costs to be sent to us by your selected repairer. You can authorise repairs provided that the estimate does not exceed €650.

How will a claim affect my insurance?

How will a claim affect my car insurance?

If you have a claim, it may increase the cost of your premium when your policy is due for renewal. Your No Claim Bonus may also be affected; this depends on the level of No Claim Bonus Protection you select. Please see your policy document for details.

No Claim Bonus

What is a No Claim Bonus?

What is a No Claim Bonus?

Every year you earn a No Claim Bonus you will receive a discount off your annual insurance premium. The more years No Claim Bonus earned will result in a higher discount off your premium, subject to our maximum discount of 5 years.

If you make a claim on your policy your No Claim Bonus could be reduced to nil at your next renewal unless you avail of one of our No Claim Bonus protection options.

There are 2 levels of bonus protection available on an Allianz car insurance policy, Protected No Claim Bonus and Step-back No Claim Bonus Protection.

What is a Protected No Claim Bonus?

What is a Protected No Claim Bonus?

You can opt to include Protected No Claim Bonus with your Allianz car insurance policy. This benefit allows you to have one unlimited third party or accidental damage claim in any 3 year renewal period, without having an impact on the No Claim Bonus you have earned. This means if you have an accident and you claim on your policy it will not affect your No Claim Bonus.

However, if you make a second claim in the same three year renewal period, your No Claim Bonus will be stepped back by 3 years. In the event of a third or subsequent claim in the same consecutive three year renewal period your No Claim Bonus will be reduced to Nil.

Please refer to table below:

Years of NCB at your last renewal date

Years of NCB at next renewal date if you had:

A. No Claim in the current PeriodofInsurance

B. Any Claim in the current Period of Insurance

Which is the only claim in the last three year period

Which is the second claim in the last three year period

IWhich is the third claim or subsequent claim in the last three year period

Nil

1

Nil

Nil

Nil

1

2

1

Nil

Nil

2

3

2

Nil

Nil

3

4

3

Nil

Nil

4

5

4

1

Nil

5 or more

5 or more

5 or more

2

Nil

Any claim payment for windscreen breakage, fire damage or theft will be paid without an impact on Your No Claim Bonus earned

What is Step-back Bonus Protection?

What is Step-back No Claim Bonus Protection?

Step-back No Claim Bonus Protection is partial protection of your No Claim Bonus. You can opt to include Step-back No Claim Bonus Protection on your policy.

If you have Step-back No Claim Bonus Protection and make one claim for own damage or accidental damage your No Claim Bonus will be reduced by 3 years, please see the table below:

Years of NCB at your last renewal date

Years of NCB at next renewal date if you have had:

One claim

Two or more claims

1-3

Nil

Nil

4

1

Nil

5 or more

2

Nil

You must hold a minimum of 4 years No Claim Bonus in your own name to avail of Step-back No Claim Bonus Protection.

How long is my Bonus valid for?

How long is my No Claim Bonus valid for?

Following the cancellation of your policy, your No Claim Bonus remains valid for 2 years.

How many policies can I use it for?

How many car policies can I use my No Claim Bonus for?

You can only use your No Claim Bonus for one motor policy at any one time.

Business Use

Can I use my car for work?

Can I use my car for work?

You are covered to use your car for social, domestic and pleasure purposes, including travel to and from work. Business use (Class 1 and Class 2) is available but must be specifically requested.

What's covered under Business Class?

What is covered under Business Class 1 and 2?

Class 1

Class 1 use is when the car is being used for social, domestic and pleasure purposes and for use by the insured and/or spouse in connection with his/her business or occupation. Class 1 use covers an annual business mileage of up to 1000 miles/1600 kilometres.

Class 2

Class 2 use is when the car is being used for social, domestic and pleasure purposes and for use by the insured and/or spouse in connection with his/her business which is not covered by Class 1 (i.e. more than 1000 miles/1600 kilometres per year)

Can I switch to a commercial vehicle?

Can I switch to a commercial vehicle?

We do not cover Commercial Vehicles on a permanent basis on Private Car policies.

We will, however, do a temporary substitution to a van on a private car policy for a maximum of 48hrs –the vehicle must be used for Social Domestic & Pleasure only, e.g. for moving house. An additional premium of €64 applies for the first 24 hours and an additional €32 applies for any additional time up to a further 24 hours.

Can I cover two cars on one policy?

Can I cover two cars on one policy?

Can I switch from one car to another?

Can I switch car insurance from one car to another?

Yes, you can avail of a temporary substitution (usually if your car is in a garage getting repaired) or a permanent substitution (if you are changing your car permanently).

You also have automatic cover on any car up to 2000cc loaned to you by a garage for up to 7 days while your car is being repaired.

A permanent substitution may incur a €20 administration charge.

What Types of cover are available?

What Types of cover are available?

There are 2 different types of cover you can choose from: Third Party, Fire and Theft OR Comprehensive. These covers vary in cost and in the level of cover provided; this gives you wider options to choose from.

1. Third Party Fire and Theft

With Third Party Fire and Theft you are covered for any costs incurred for damages in respect of injury to any person, and / or damage to property arising from the use of your car. You are also covered for any loss of or damage to your car and its accessories or spare parts caused by fire, lightning, explosion, theft or attempted theft.

The car is insured for the current market value or the sum insured whichever is the lesser at the time of loss or damage.

With third party fire and theft you are covered for any costs which you may face, for injury to any person and/or any damage to property which your car causes.

You are also covered for any loss or damage caused by fire, lightning, explosion, theft or attempted theft of your car, its accessories or spare parts.

2. Comprehensive

In addition to the cover provided by Third Party, Fire and Theft, with Comprehensive cover you are also covered for loss of or accidental damage to your car, and its accessories and spare parts while in or on the car.

Policy terms and conditions apply.

Am I insured to drive in Europe?

Am I insured to drive my car in Europe?

Yes, you are covered to drive in the following countries: Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, Great Britain, Isle of Man, and the Channel Islands. Your policy is also automatically extended to cover you to travel to or on the continent of Europe for up to 60 days in any period of insurance allowing you the same cover whilst you are driving your own car.

However, please note that our Breakdown Assistance (if you have this cover) is only available while driving in the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland and Great Britain.

Can I drive someone else’s car?

Will I be covered if I drive someone else’s car?

Driving other cars is available on request and if provided, you are covered to drive someone else’s car but the cover is restricted to third party insurance cover only. This benefit is only available to policyholders that are over 25 years of age.

A mid-term adjustment fee of €20 may apply. Please refer to your Policy Schedule and Policy document for more details.

What are the additional benefits?

What are the additional benefits I can choose to add to my policy?

1. Personal Effects and Clothing

We will pay you (or the owner of the property) for loss or damage to personal effects (e.g. rugs, sporting equipment and clothing) which are in or on your car if they are damaged by fire, theft (or attempted theft) or by accidental means, provided that:

Our total liability will be limited to €200 in respect of any one incident.

Payment to any person other than you will be paid direct to that person who will observe, fulfil and be subject to the terms, conditions, exceptions and general exceptions of your policy in so far as they can apply.

At the time of loss or damage, you are not being paid for carrying passengers in your car.

2. Driving other Cars

We will insure you for legal liability, as shown under Section 1 (Third Party Insurance) of the policy document, while you are driving another private car, as long as the private car:

Does not belong to you or your employer.

Is not hired or leased to either of the parties described above under a Hire Purchase or Leasing Agreement.

Is not the property of or in the custody or control of a Motor Trade business of which you are a director, member or employee?

Cover under driving other cars is limited to use within Ireland and the United Kingdom only.

3. Windscreen breakage

We will pay for breakage or repair of glass in the windscreen, windows and roof of your car including any scratching of the bodywork, as long as they are a direct result of that breakage. All claims for this must be processed through our Aligned Windscreen Repair network.

An excess will not apply to a claim payment for windscreen damage and it will not have an effect on your No Claim Bonus.

4. Personal Accident

If the injury results in any of the following conditions the amounts stated below will be paid to the injured party:

Item No.

Item

Benefits

1.

Death

€12,700

2.

Complete and Permanent Loss of sight of one or both eyes

€12,700

3.

Loss by severance of one or more limbs at or above the wrist or ankle

€12,700

4.

Permanent total disablement

€12,700

5

Temporary total disablement (payable up to 50 weeks but excluding the first 14 days)

€55 per week

6.

Hospitalisation (payable for up to 10 weeks)

€127 per week.

Our standard motor excess is €250. However, this may vary depending on the type of loss or type of policy. Please refer to your schedule of insurance, policy document, or contact us directly if you wish to query this amount.

Am I covered to tow a trailer?

Am I covered to tow a trailer? Can I cover a trailer on my policy?

Yes, Third Party Liability cover to tow a trailer/horsebox is automatically included in your policy. Accidental damage cover for trailers may be included as an additional benefit if the cover on your policy is comprehensive.

What is a policy excess?

What is a policy excess?

An excess is the first amount of any loss that you are responsible for in the event of making a claim. This amount is deducted from the total claim settlement figure.

Our standard motor excess is €250. However, this may vary depending on the type of loss or type of policy. Please refer to your schedule of insurance, policy document, or contact us directly if you wish to query this amount.

Breakdown Assistance

What is Breakdown Assistance?

What is Breakdown Assistance?

Allianz Breakdown Assistance provides you with on site roadside support in the event of a breakdown. This ensures a hassle free recovery with the aim of getting you back on the road as quickly as possible.

We supply a complete breakdown assistance service as an optional extra to our car insurance policyholders. With our breakdown assistance you get peace of mind, knowing that your breakdown will be handled efficiently so you and your passengers can get home safely.

What are the benefits?

What are the benefits of breakdown assistance?

A trusted and competent repairer will be sent to assist you. We will also cover the cost of towing your car to the nearest garage or to your own garage, whichever is the closest, as long as the garage is within 50km/30m from the location of your breakdown. If the garage you wish to go to exceeds this distance we can offer specially negotiated rates to get you there at your own cost.

We will also relay two messages to family members or business contacts on your behalf to ensure colleagues and loved ones are informed of your situation.

Journey completion for you and your passengers up to a maximum value of €150/ £100.

Or

Free courtesy car (class A) for up to 48 hours.

Or

Bed & breakfast accommodation when repairs require an overnight stay to a value of €35 per person or to a maximum of €150/ £100.

What emergencies are covered?

What emergencies are covered under Breakdown Assistance?

Allianz breakdown assistance covers all mechanical and electrical breakdowns, punctures and wheel changes. You are also entitled to assistance if your key breaks in your lock or if your keys are locked into your car.

How many times can I use it?

How many times can I use breakdown assistance?

We understand that breakdowns can be a common occurrence that's why we offer 4 call-outs in any one period of insurance.

Where am I covered?

Where am I covered for breakdown assistance?

You can avail of the Allianz Breakdown Assistance service in the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland and Great Britain.

Penalty Points/Convictions

Do I need to tell Allianz about penalty points, convictions etc.

Yes, you must tell Allianz if you or any driver who may drive your car has received any penalty points in the last three years. You must also tell Allianz of any convictions and/or pending convictions that you or any driver who will drive your car has received within the last five years.

Medical Conditions

What medical conditions do I need to make an insurer aware of?

You should inform the National Driver Licence Service (NDLS) of any conditions which may impair your ability to drive. You may be required to submit a medical report completed by registered medical practitioner. Please see www.ndls.ie for details or if you require more information.

You are not required to reveal any medical conditions to Allianz, if you choose not to.

If you have been issued with a valid driving licence on completion of a medical examination, your insurance cover will remain unaffected.